Students & Teachers

It is warm, hot even, though sinking sun implies that all shall soon cool. Out enjoying the colorful sky to the west, if not currently the book at her side, Verna sits in a chair upon her portico near the roadway. The day's (or evening's) wear is the simple, if bright, sundress she has come to favor: canary yellow with blue flowers dyed upon it.

It's unusual, but such are the changes that the trip to Quelynos caused. Still, there are those that specialize in such matters. One of whom comes ambling up to the house. Dressed in a loose fitting linen tunic over breeches, his boots neatly polished, Telamon raises his hand in greeting. "Good day, Verna! Or is it evening at this point?"

His dark eyes sparkle with their usual cheerful light, as he approaches the portico, idly running a hand through his hair as he regards Verna. "I hope the day finds you well," he says with a grin. "I'm dropping off a couple things for Aura, but I wouldn't mind sitting and chatting a bit."

Verna turns as she notes the approaching familiar face, lifting her own hand in return. "It was a good day, I believe. One that shall lead into a good evening, as well, or so I hope." A smile follows, in turn shifting to curiosity at mention of delivery. "Oh? Do you bring silver cutlery by chance? Please," she gestures to a chair, "feel free to sit and/or converse. You and Cor'lana are both well?"

Telamon nods. "We are both, yes. She's spending some time with her cousin today, so I figured it would be a good opportunity to drop by." He sits down, pulling his haversack around and opening it up. "Silver cutlery? I'm afraid nothing so charming." He removes a couple of books from the haversack. "A copy of 'Traveling By Night' -- I found it fairly useful for developing my own sorcerous skills. And copies of treatises from the Shining Chalice on sorcerous bloodlines and powers observed. I thought she might find these useful -- magical practice is good, but I've found I need to study theory now and again."

Verna opens her mouth to note the cutlery comment was not made in all seriousness, but the declared items promptly alter her focus. Her face alights anew with a smile. "That is most generous of you. She will find them enthralling, I expect." Then, her expression dims. "Regretably, I am unable to aid her in her training and discovery as much as I would prefer."

Telamon sets the books on the table, before sitting back in his chair. "I know Lana and I do some training together, but even with us, it's tricky. Because training involves pushing oneself, and it's hard to do that with someone you love." He gives Verna a calm look. "I'd wager it's that, rather than any question of differing skills, that limits your ability to help her. Hence why I offered to do so -- I'm not planning on emulating a watch instructor, but I'm less... emotionally tied to her."

Verna pauses at this proposed cause, as if it one she had not considered previously. After that moment of thought, her lips flatten and purse. "That does complicate matters. It is my responsibility to encourage and motivate my students towards success whilst also providing proven tools and methods to best achieve it. To my knowledge, this does not make them fond of me. I would not want to cause the same effect with Auranar, certainly. I welcome your aid, as I imagine she does, as well. She has oft felt incapable or unhelpful on many occassions, and is suspicious of my assurances to the contrary."

"She's far more clever and capable than she thinks she is," Telamon comments. "Magic isn't -everything-. She saved that fellow's life by shoving her fingers down his throat to make him throw up the poison he'd been forced to take, and I owe her for helping me track down and rescue Lana." He smiles warmly at that last. "But yes. Being a teacher sometimes calls for a firmer hand. Having a relationship... compromises that. That being said, though, I always welcome any insights you might offer. I am not so bold as to assume I know -everything-."

And just like that, Verna's countenance grows a smile once more, along with a nod. "She is, very much so, and demonstrates such continually. Indeed, magic is not the best solution in all situations, perhaps not even in most. With her, I merely wish to aid, rather than teach. I am not superior to her in any way; quite the opposite, in fact, and I never wish her to perceive herself as less compared to anyone." His latter comment cools her smile slightly. "I would not deny aid to a friend, but neither do I know all. So long as we both realize this, we are better than some. Hubris can be a dangerous thing to hold."

Telamon laughs softly. "We are both always learning. That's the nature of life, isn't it? Perpetually experiencing. I'm not the same person I was yesterday, let alone a year ago." He rubs his brow. "Gods. Lana and I just celebrated our six month anniversary. I can't believe it's only been six months." He cocks his head, regarding Verna. "How long have you and Auranar been together? I'm curious what you might do to celebrate an anniversary."

Verna arches a brow. "Are congratulations in order? I had not realized all was so recent, either. As I mentioned to Cor'lana not long ago, I presumed the two of you had been close for some time as you ever seemed so comfortable. She corrected, noting that I was present for your mutual first introductions." She is distracted by that line of thought briefly before his question registers. With a blink. "I would need to.." her brow furrows "What would be the defining start of status as 'together?'" While the question may be wholly relevant, asking it seems to sink her expression further. "I am barely a student of interpersonal relationships. Aura would be better to seek advice from. Aryia may be better, as well, if not the best."

Telamon laughs softly. "That seems to have been a common pattern. Aryia also thought we were, well, courting well before we found ourselves together. I guess... it was an unconscious thing. Children of two worlds, as I've mentioned so many times." He rubs his chin. "In any case, we look forward to many more anniversaries." At Verna's consternation, Tel motions his hands downward, a 'settle down' gesture. "Ah, but half the fun is learning how to be part of the relationship. I've seen you and Aura together, but I can't help but wonder if your inexperience makes you... hm. Nervous might be the best word for it?"

Verna nods. "Nervous, indeed," she admits. "I have ever enjoyed learning, and she is the most intriguing topic of all." A flicker of smile before it goes flat. "My experience and methodology for educating myself are study and repetition; I am not overly ... intuitive. However, there is no Manual of Auranar, much less for any other individual. I would have all my actions be perfect and appropriate in as much as I am able." A breath is exhaled. "I daresay that I -am- learning, albeit via trial and error. Fortunately, Aura is exceptionally forgiving as well as an excellent teacher."

Telamon's eyes sparkle. "Ah, but as I said, that's half the fun! There's no instruction manual, just patient trial and error. And there will be error -- but it is always counterbalanced by the love you have." He steeples his fingers. "I would also add that the willingness to learn in this situation is key. Too many people think they have it figured out... only to find that they don't." He looks at Verna with a knowing smile. "I suspect ever since your... sojourn into Quelynos, you've found yourself drawing more on intuition than before."

Verna is uncertain whether to frown at his confirmation of trial and error (most especially error) or smile at the mention of love. In the end, she combines both to smile softly whilst her brow remains furrowed. "I hold no illusions that I have discerned anything near all, but I am ever eager to learn more." The mention of Quelynos draws a nod. "That journey, and the events since, brought to light or created matters of which I also know concerningly little. An increasingly ... subjective view seems both a blessing and a curse."

Telamon chuckles. "Don't fight it. It's part of you, and the trick is to adapt to it. The fluidity of your thoughts and emotions... it's like those beachgoers Father and I saw when we visited Selentia. They've developed this intriguing sport of 'riding' waves, using large, flat boards. And the trick to it is that you can't -fight- the ocean, but you can work around it." He taps his fingertips together lightly. "And know you have friends, and Aura, to lean on when you feel confused. You do not have to face this alone."

"You would know better than most, Telamon," Verna notes reservedly, "that some aspects of myself revealed in Quelynos are best fought. The fact that I do not feel that ... conflict any longer is both relieving and concerning. I dare not presume it absent, as I did before." The mention of support (and Aura, let us be honest), pulls her lips upwards once more. "I have relied upon her, Cor'lana and yourself rather extensively and I am grateful." "As for the fae aspect, I seek to understand it more than fight it," she admits. "While it may now be a part of me, and might always so, that does not make it familiar." Her eyes upon him lower, then rise, "Were I to suddenly grow a penis, it would be a part of me... yet I would know all but nothing as to what I would or should do with it."

Telamon sighs. "What happened -in- Quelynos was... probably not intended. Or for that matter, caused by it. There's so much... occurring, we should've expected something like that to occur." He sighs, looking up at the portico roof, gathering his thoughts. He smiles at Verna's compliment, and nods in return. Her next comment makes him cough a bit in surprise. "Well! I'm glad Lana's not here, she'd be bright red right now... but your point is well made. This is going to be new and confusing. Just ride it out."

It was a valid, and poignant comparison; he even agreed. Yet when Telamon mentions Cor'lana blushing, or perhaps due to delayed effect, Verna's cheeks color. She stops short of akward cough in favor of a moment of awkward silence that is subsequently broken with a nod and agreement. "It is certainly new, and quite confusing at times. I fear that I have little option but to experience it and attempt to adjust accordingly. Most all action I take presently is reactionary. I hope to change this shortly. There are far too many unpleasant aspects at work to simply await one or the other strike."

Telamon grins at Verna. "Indeed! But, as I said, you have friends. And that, Verna, is what helps more than anything else." He glances at the setting sun, and rises. "I'm glad we got the chance to talk -- I do want to do so again. There's something to be said for conversations like this, especially when the world's not beating down the door with another crisis to manage." He offers Verna a bow and a smile. "Please, give my best to Aura. I'll convey the same to Lana, and hopefully we can both visit at some point."

Verna rises in kind. "I am pleased you were able to visit, and hope that you do so again... yet, preferably when the situation is not unpleasant. I shall convey to her your best."